YOASOBI – Idol: Meaning, Lyric, Quotes [from “Oshi No Ko” soundtrack]

YOASOBI – Idol (アイドル) : The Sparkling Lies and Secret Heart of a Superstar

Okay, so let’s talk about a song that basically took over the internet, right? YOASOBI’s “Idol (アイドル)” from the “Oshi no Ko [推しの子]” soundtrack. If you haven’t heard it, where have you BEEN? It’s an absolute banger, but trust me, there’s so much more to it than just a catchy beat and Ikura’s incredible vocals. This track is like an onion – so many layers to peel back!

Unpacking YOASOBI’s “Idol”: More Than Just a Chart-Topper from “Oshi no Ko”

When you first listen to “Idol,” especially with the vibrant “Oshi no Ko” visuals in mind, it hits you with this burst of energy. It’s all about this seemingly perfect, dazzling idol. But as you tune into the lyrics, you start to realize, “Hold up, something deeper is going on here.” It’s a journey into the mind and heart of someone living under the brightest, most demanding spotlights. We’re essentially getting a peek behind the curtain of superstar Ai Hoshino, or at least, what it feels like to be her.

The Perfect Facade: Glitter and Secrets

The song kicks off by painting this picture of an idol who’s got it all figured out.
“Muteki no egao de arasu media” (The invincible smile that stirs up the media).
She’s described as mysterious, someone whose even perceived flaws are part of her charm – “Nuketeru toko sae kanojo no eria” (Even her airheaded moments are her territory). It’s all about that flawless image.
But then, bam! The lyrics drop this bomb: “Kanpeki de usotsuki na kimi wa tensai-teki na aidoru-sama” (You, so perfect and a liar, are a genius idol).
That line right there? That’s the whole essence of the song. It’s about the intricate dance between the manufactured perfection the public sees and the, well, lies that maintain it.

Think about it. Fans are always curious, right? “Kyou nani tabeta? Suki na hon wa? Asobi ni iku nara doko ni iku no?” (What did you eat today? What’s your favorite book? If you go out, where do you go?). But the idol’s answers are evasive: “Nani mo tabetenai. Sore wa naisho. Nani o kikarete mo norari kurari” (I haven’t eaten anything. That’s a secret. No matter what I’m asked, I’m always evasive). It’s this constant game of hide-and-seek with her true self. The “secret” is like “honey” – “Miesou de mienai himitsu wa mitsu no aji” (The secret that seems visible but isn’t has a sweet taste) – alluring, but ultimately kept hidden.

The Weight of “Love” and Lies

One of the most heart-wrenching parts, for me, is when the song delves into the idol’s understanding (or lack thereof) of love. She says, or perhaps it’s her persona saying, “Dareka o suki ni naru koto nante watashi wakaranakute sa” (“I don’t understand what it’s like to love someone”). Is this true vulnerability, or just another part of the act designed to make people fall for her? The lyrics themselves ponder, “Uso ka hontou ka shirienai sonna kotoba ni mata hitori ochiru” (Whether it’s a lie or the truth, I’ll never know. With those words, another person falls for her). It’s a cycle. She captivates, she charms, she makes them “love” her.

The chorus is so powerful because it reinforces this idea of the ultimate, flawless idol: “Daremo ga me o ubawareteiku kimi wa kanpeki de kyuukyoku no aidoru” (Everyone’s eyes are stolen by you, the perfect and ultimate idol). She’s like the “first star reborn,” a unique, irreplaceable entity. And that smile, those words “I love you” – “Sono egao de ‘aishiteru’ de daremo kare mo toriko ni shiteiku” (With that smile and “I love you,” you captivate everyone) – they work like magic, even if they might not be entirely genuine. The line “Uso demo sore wa kanzen na ai” (Even if it’s a lie, it’s a perfect “Ai” / love) is genius, playing on Ai Hoshino’s name and the concept of “ai” meaning love. Her very existence, her performance, is a form of love, albeit a constructed one.

The Pressure Cooker of Perfection

But man, the pressure! The song touches on the immense burden of maintaining this perfection. There’s a bit where it seems like other, less prominent people (maybe backup dancers, or even just observers) are speaking: “Hai hai ano ko wa tokubetsu desu. Wareware wa hana kara omake desu” (Yes, yes, that girl is special. We’re just extras from the start). It highlights the pedestal she’s on. And then, this raw, almost angry outburst: “Kanpeki ja nai kimi ja yurusenai. Jibun o yurusenai” (I can’t forgive a you that isn’t perfect. I can’t forgive myself). This could be from the perspective of a die-hard fan, or even Ai’s own internal critic. The demand is for unwavering strength: “Dare yori mo tsuyoi kimi igai wa mitomenai” (I won’t acknowledge anyone but you, who is stronger than anyone else).

She has to be the strongest, most invincible idol. “Yowai toko nante misecha dame dame. Shiritakunai toko wa misezu ni” (You absolutely mustn’t show any weakness. Don’t show the parts they don’t want to know). It’s about curating every single aspect of her public self. This isn’t just a job; it’s her identity, or at least the one she projects. And the core of it? “Sou uso wa tobikiri no ai da” (Yes, lies are an exceptional kind of love). It’s a twisted justification, perhaps, but it’s how she frames her world, her career built on “lies” she calls love.

A Glimmer of Hope? The Truth in the Lie

Now, here’s where it gets really interesting and, dare I say, a little hopeful. Towards the end, there’s a shift. She admits, “Dareka ni aisareta koto mo dareka no koto aishita koto mo nai. Sonna watashi no uso ga itsuka hontou ni naru koto shinjiteru” (I’ve never been loved by anyone, nor have I ever loved anyone. I believe that someday, these lies of mine will become true). This is such a vulnerable confession! She’s aware of the facade, but she holds onto this belief that one day, the pretense might just morph into reality. She wants it all, she’s a “greedy idol” – “Itsuka kitto zenbu te ni ireru. Watashi wa sou yokubari na aidoru” (Someday I’ll definitely get it all. I’m a greedy idol). She wants to genuinely love everyone, and that’s why she continues the act: “Kyou mo uso o tsuku no. Kono kotoba ga itsuka hontou ni naru hi o negatte” (I tell lies today too. Wishing for the day these words become true).

And then, the final lines: “Soredemo mada kimi to kimi ni dake wa iezu ni ita kedo yatto ieta. Kore wa zettai uso ja nai. Aishiteru” (Still, I couldn’t say it to you and only you, but I finally said it. This is definitely not a lie. I love you). Who is this “you”? Her children? A specific loved one? Or even her fans, but this time, with a newfound sincerity? It’s beautifully ambiguous. But that declaration, “This is definitely not a lie, I love you,” after an entire song about the nature of her lies, hits so hard. It suggests that perhaps, through the very act of performing love, she’s found a way to make it real, at least in that moment, or for those specific people. It’s like the ultimate culmination of her journey – the hope that the “idol” can also be a genuine person capable of true affection.

The moral message here is pretty complex. It’s a commentary on the idol industry, for sure, and the often-impossible standards. But it’s also about the human need for connection, the yearning for authenticity even when trapped in a manufactured world. It’s about the hope that even the most elaborate lies, told with enough conviction, might pave the way for some kind of truth. It’s a little sad, a little cynical, but ultimately, there’s a spark of hope in that final “Aishiteru.”

Alright, so we’ve dived deep into what makes